Personal Injury Law

NHTSA Records 61 Pedestrian Deaths in Massachusetts

By Altman & Altman

Out of the 417 Massachusetts traffic deaths in 2007, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that 61 of those fatalities were pedestrians. Nationally in the US, there were 4,654 pedestrian deaths last year, with one pedestrian dying every 13 minutes.

2007?s national total is a 13% decrease from 10 years prior when 5,321 pedestrians died in 1997. 70,000 pedestrians survived traffic accidents with injuries last year.

Other 2007 NHTSA US Pedestrian Facts:

? 73% of pedestrian deaths happened in urban areas.
? 77% of pedestrian fatalities took place at non-intersections.
? Over 70% of the pedestrians that died last year were male.
? 721 elderly pedestrians, ages 70 and over, died in the US last year.
? 4,000 senior pedestrians were injured in traffic accidents.
? 8% of pedestrian fatalities were children ages 15 and younger.
? 23% of pedestrian injury victims were also children in this age group.
? 85% of nonoccupant fatalities were pedestrians.
? 13% of nonoccupant fatalities were pedalcyclists.
? The remaining 3% were roller skaters, skateboarders, etc.
? In 49% of traffic accidents resulting in pedestrian deaths, at least one of the parties involved?whether the motorist or the pedestrian?had been drinking.

Under the General Laws of Massachusetts, motorists are supposed to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians crossing the streets in crosswalks, whether or not they are marked or unmarked. Both drivers and pedestrians are expected to exercise caution on the roads to prevent traffic accidents.

Pedestrians are at high risk of getting seriously hurt or dying anytime they are involved in an accident with a car, truck, bus, or motorcycle.

2007 Pedestrian Traffic Safety, NHTSA

Chapter 89: Section 11. Marked crosswalks; yielding right of way to pedestrians; penalty, The General Laws of Massachusetts

Related Web Resources:

Pedestrian Safety, Federal Highway Administration

Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center, WalkingInfo.org

Full post as published by Boston Injury Lawyer Blog on October 16, 2008 (boomark / email).